Annette Ilg sank a 17-foot buzzer-beater while surrounded by three defenders to lift the UCSD women's basketball
team to a playoff victory. Jordan Lawley connected on a closing 50-footer to
give the Tritons men a midseason victory.

Those were the big shots for UCSD last season.

The players who took them might also be called big shots on campus this season. As seniors, they are each
taking on increased leadership role as the women's and men's teams open the season this weekend.

Ilg's memorable shot came in a 66-65 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills in the first round of the NCAA Division II Western
Regionals. A loss to Alaska-Anchorage would follow, but still the Tritons had a
taste of success in their fourth straight postseason.

“The biggest thing that I was thinking about when it went in was (teammate)
Michelle Osier,” said Ilg, a 5-foot-10 guard from Avon Lake, Ohio. “We're best friends, so being able to make
that happen and have her season continue. I couldn't believe it. I don't think
I'll ever forget it.”

Osier, who is playing pro basketball in Austria,
graduated from UCSD as the school's all-time leader in rebounding (1,185) and
steals (318).

How the Tritons respond to Osier's departure represents a
key to their season. Three starters areback from last season's 27-5 team that won the California
College Athletic Association crown.

“We depended so many times for Michelle to come through for us, and she
did,” said third-year coach Charity Elliott, whose squad begins play on Saturday at Grand Canyon. “Now it's going (to take)
everybody doing part of what she did and what she brought.”

Ilg offers the credentials of a player who started every game, averaged 9.8
points and ranked second on the team with 58 steals.

”Since the moment last season ended, I've been training, knowing that
this is it,” Ilg said. “I have this season, and that's my career. So
anticipation is high. We have a lot of potential this year.

UCSD's leading returning scorer is sophomore Chelsea Carlisle, named the
CCAA Freshman of the Year last season. She averaged 13.2 points per game after
making a delayed debut in December following a prolonged illness.

For the men, Lawley is the only returning starter from last season's team
that went 17-11 but missed out on an NCAA Tournament bid
after qualifying for the first time in 2008. The
Tritons open their season tomorrow against Western State in Pueblo, Colo.

Lawley has the experience of playing every game of his collegiate career.
While he averaged 13.9 points per game to lead UCSD in
scoring, his shooting legend grew with the 50-footer in a 60-57 triumph over
Sonoma State.

“The funny thing is that it seemed that I couldn't hit a shot to save my
life the entire night,” said Lawley, a 6-foot-4 guard from Lodi.
”As soon as I let go of that shot, though, I knew it was going in. It was such
an amazing feeling.”

Senior Tyler Acevedo and junior Casey Ryan are also expected to step in the
backcourt this season. Otherwise, the Tritons are counting on a young roster.

“As I say, we're getting older by the day,” third-year coach
Chris Carlson said. “Our guys are eager to get better, and we're making
progress. I feel really good about this group.”

Joining UCSD from the local ranks is freshman Colin Porter (Torrey Pines).